KINGSTON, N.Y. -- State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill says a meeting he had with officials of CH Energy Group and Fortis Inc. did not sway him to support the proposed purchase of the local utility by the Canadian company.

Cahill, D-Kingston, said he met on Tuesday in his office with CH Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Lant, CH Executive Vice President James Laurito and Fortis Vice President Barry Perry.

"Although I appreciate (Lant and Perry) reaching out, my view of the proposal has not changed," Cahill said in a prepared statement on Wednesday. "Absent the inclusion of a favorable community benefit fund, including a permanent fund that will help those who are experiencing financial hardship, a labor agreement that has a long-term plan for the workforce, indemnification against NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and a commitment to a rate-freeze period, as well as the use of new renewables, this plan will not be sufficient."

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Cahill previously has voiced concerns that Fortis might use NAFTA to circumvent state Public Service Commission rulings; has said a $49.5 million public benefits package proposed by Fortis is not large enough; and has expressed worry that CH Energy employees could lose their jobs.

"I urge the public to continue to register their views as the matter proceeds to final consideration by the (state) Public Service Commission," Cahill said in his Wednesday statement.

Four recent public hearings on the proposed buyout that were held by the Public Service Commission drew nothing but opposition to the plan, and two state administrative law judges later said in a recommendation to the commission that the potential benefits of the deal "are outweighed by the detriments" and that leaving things as they are would be preferable.

The commission ultimately will decide whether to allow the takeover.

Despite the judges' recommendation, Fortis and CH Energy officials have expressed optimism that the commission will green-light the deal by June 30, which is three days after Fortis must pay back $601 million, plus interest, to investors who supported the takeover effort.

CH Energy spokesman John Maserjian said on Wednesday that Cahill's comments will be taken into "consideration (as) we move forward.

"We feel that the administrative law judges have indicated that NAFTA is not a concern. We are committed to retaining all of our employees (through) a two-year guarantee," Maserjian said. And, he said, "there is no intention to do anything (to impact employment) after that two-year period."

Asked whether Fortis could increase the $49.5 million public benefits package, Maserjian responded: "We're looking at all of our options."

"The benefits, as proposed, are generous," he said. "But of course, we'll be looking at the benefits as well to see if there's anything we might be able to do to further address comments that the assemblyman and others have mentioned during the process of the public comment period."

U.S. Rep. Sean Maloney, meanwhile, has joined the growing list of people asking the Public Service Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing about the takeover plan so Fortis and CH Energy officials can be questioned directly.

"Even if ... all pertinent facts have been uncovered, those facts must be consolidated into one easily accessible document for public consumption," Maloney, D-Cold Spring, wrote in a letter to the commission. "I believe that it is critical for all parties to have all available facts to make the best decision for the people of the Hudson Valley."